The countdown is on for Euro 2024, set to kick off in Munich on June 14 with hosts Germany taking on Scotland. Excitement is building as the final 26-man squads are now confirmed. However, some notable players have missed out, either due to form, fitness, or their countries not qualifying. Here, we highlight some of the biggest names absent from the tournament.

The build-up to Euro 2024 has been full of surprises as managers finalized their squads ahead of last Friday’s deadline.

With only 26 spots available per national team, several high-profile players faced the axe as squad lists were trimmed.

Ill-timed injuries and declining form denied many players the opportunity to compete on one of international football’s biggest stages.

However, the absence of the following 10 players is particularly notable and will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion when the action begins on June 14.

ERLING HAALAND (NORWAY)

Europe's most feared striker, Erling Haaland, won't grace the European Championship this time around, as his native Norway failed to qualify.

Haaland's goal-scoring prowess is legendary, with an astonishing record of 90 goals in 98 matches across all competitions in two seasons with Manchester City, and 30 goals in 32 matches for Norway since his international debut in 2019.

However, despite his remarkable feats, Haaland managed "only" five goals in six qualifying matches for Norway. Unfortunately, Norway finished third in Group A, behind Spain and Scotland, failing to even secure a playoff spot.

The absence of Norway also means that Arsenal's captain and Norwegian star Martin Odegaard will also miss out on the tournament in Germany.

Norway struggled in the qualifiers, winning only three out of eight matches and finishing six points behind group runners-up Scotland.
 

SERGE GNABRY (GERMANY) 

Another notable absence from Germany's squad is Serge Gnabry, sidelined due to an injury. The Bayern Munich winger was ruled out with a hamstring issue after an injury-plagued season. His absence leaves the hosts without a key attacker who has scored 22 goals in 45 appearances for the national team.

GAVI (SPAIN)

Barcelona’s talented teenager has become a key player for the Spanish national team, featuring in every game during the 2022 World Cup and the Euro 2024 qualifiers.

However, the 19-year-old tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while on international duty in October and hasn't recovered in time to make Luis de la Fuente’s squad, leaving him with 27 caps for now.

“The dressing room is like a funeral parlor,” De la Fuente said after Gavi sustained the injury against Georgia. “This is the hardest moment I have experienced in football.”

MARCO VERRATTI (ITALY)

Verratti was one of the stars of Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph three years ago, but his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Qatari side Al-Arabi at just 30 years old—and reports of him turning down an international call-up—hurt his chances of participating this time.

A 55-time Italy international, Verratti hasn't played for his country since June 2023, with Luciano Spalletti opting not to recall him since taking over in August.

Verratti isn't the only member of Italy’s title-winning team absent this time: Domenico Berardi and Francesco Acerbi miss out due to injury, along with Aston Villa winger Nicolo Zaniolo and Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini. Manuel Locatelli also wasn't called up.

JACK GREALISH (ENGLAND)

A year after playing a crucial role in Manchester City’s stunning Treble success, Jack Grealish has been left out of England’s squad due to a significant dip in form.

A regular under Gareth Southgate, Grealish’s exclusion came as a surprise, with the manager explaining that “other players have had stronger seasons."

Indeed, Grealish's tally of three goals and three assists in 36 games for City across all competitions in 2023/24 was a stark contrast to his 16-goal involvements the previous year.

MARCUS RASHFORD (ENGLAND)

Southgate didn't hesitate to make bold decisions, leaving long-serving members like Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling, and James Maddison out of the squad. A “devastated” Harry Maguire also wasn’t included due to ongoing injury issues.

Rashford struggled with form throughout the 2023/24 season, but with 60 caps for England, he has been a key player in the last four tournaments, notably scoring three goals in the 2022 World Cup.

THIBAUT COURTOIS (BELGIUM)

Fresh off a clean sheet in a Champions League final for Real Madrid, Thibaut Courtois will not be heading to Germany, having been controversially dropped by Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco.

Their relationship reportedly soured last year, and a long-term injury that sidelined Courtois for most of the 2023/24 season prevented him from mending fences and rejoining the international squad in time for Euro 2024.

MATS HUMMELS (GERMANY)

This season, Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels reminded everyone why he's regarded as one of Europe’s top defenders.

Hummels was the defensive cornerstone behind Dortmund’s impressive run to the UEFA Champions League final, but his stellar club form wasn’t enough to convince Julian Nagelsmann to include him in the squad.

He isn’t alone – in-form Dortmund teammates Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt are also notable absentees from Germany’s squad as they aim for Euro glory on home soil.

“It’s bitter for me as an individual because I’m currently one of the five best defenders in Germany,” Hummels remarked after his omission. “I have the self-confidence to say that.”

DAVID ALABA (AUSTRIA)

Austria has been dealt a significant blow as their star player, Alaba, will only be able to join the team as a 'non-playing captain' in Germany.

The versatile Real Madrid player sustained a serious knee injury in December and has yet to make a return to the pitch. However, despite his absence from playing, the Austrian Football Federation announced that he will still travel with the squad to provide inspiration and support, especially as they navigate through a challenging Group D, which includes France, the Netherlands, and Poland.

CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU (FRANCE)

Nkunku's fortunes haven't been kind. Two years ago in Qatar, he suffered a knee injury during pre-tournament training, forcing him to withdraw before the World Cup began. This time, his debut season with Chelsea was marred by injuries, denying him the opportunity to participate in his first major tournament.

Throughout the 2023/24 campaign, the 26-year-old spent significant time in the treatment room, managing to score three goals in 11 Premier League appearances. Despite his return to action late in the season, it wasn't sufficient to secure a place in Didier Deschamps' squad.

Defender Lucas Hernandez, who endured a tournament-ending injury after just 13 minutes of play at the last World Cup, finds himself sidelined once again, this time due to an ACL tear.